An Administrative Investigation and Internal Affairs and Operational Performance Audit of the Fairfield Police Department have been completed and a report was presented to City Council on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.
The investigation and audit were prompted by an allegation by former Fairfield Police Officer Natalie Wilson that leadership was creating a hostile work environment just prior to her resignation from the department.
As a result of this information, Chief Kenny Bulger was put on administrative leave by Mayor Kenneth Hughes from May 25, 2018 through July 10, 2018.
On July 11, 2018, the City engaged CSI Compliance and LION Leadership Institute to perform the investigation and audit, which began in August.
Administrative policies and procedures, annual budgets and other financial and operational documents and reports were evaluated for both the City and Police Department.
As a result, it was found that policies and procedures need updating, there is little to no discipline for policy violations, and succession planning is non-existent.
According to the report, there is no strong connection with community through on-going community policing initiatives and the PD’s social media campaign is a little too non-existent.
It was also discovered that vehicle maintenance process is inadequate, equipment is less than desirable, and it was undeterminable if bullet-resistant vests were safe for wearing.
Below is a breakdown of the findings and requisite recommendations.
–Finding 1: Inconsistencies with the implementation of the City of Fairfield Personnel Policies.
–Recommendation 1: The City must, in a timely manner, investigate harassment complaints, consult with trained internal investigators or investigators from outside organizations and Council should approve any disciplinary action against department heads.
–Finding 2: The City personnel policy regarding anti-nepotism conflicts with the city ordinance. Secondly, there are no provisions or policies to creation additional levels of oversight when department heads are related.
–Recommendation 2: The City should modify the Anti-Nepotism Policy to conform to the City ordinance. The City should also include additional oversight procedures when related employees are in positions with decision-making authority.
–Finding 3: The Fairfield PD has been ineffective in creating community partnerships.
–Recommendation 3: The Fairfield PD should establish a Community Policing Oriented Philosophy by 1) Creating a revised Philosophy, Values, Vision, and Mission Statement; 2) Conduct a community survey to structure a proper community policing environment; and 3) Rebranding the image of the PD that is transparent and inclusive of the community.
–Finding 4: The Fairfield PD does not adequately track Traffic Enforcement Activity on its activity reports. Secondly, the traffic citations collection fee process by the Municipal Court has inadequate oversight.
–Recommendation 4: The PD should accurately summarize traffic enforcement activity on reports. The PD should also reconvene reporting police activity on its website to improve transparence. The City should develop formal procedures for Municipal Court handling of traffic citation fees that include third party oversight and audit verification.
–Finding 5: The City Leadership has not conducted effective management oversight of the PD.
–Recommendation 5: The City Council must establish a clear chain of commands in writing and enforce implementation of policy. The Council has the final authority and must take swift action within the City Ordinance to correct acts that support insubordination.
–Finding 6: Leadership in the PD lacks in the area of coaching, mentoring, correcting deficiencies, and enforcing standards of success.
–Recommendation 6: Police Leadership should utilize professional development tool and training to improve the climate within the PD. They should conduct an Ethical Climate Assessment Survey of PD Personnel, as well as, perform a self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses. Training should be taken based on the needs-assessment.
–Finding 7: The PD has not exhibited fiscal responsibility through effective management of its assets. Specifically, the PD has not followed its vehicle maintenance procedures.
–Recommendation 7: Fairfield PD should adopt an improved preventative maintenance plan to ensure that vehicles are serviced accordingly.
City of Fairfield Council has already begun to make appropriate changes and updates as per these recommendations, and there are plans to continue working on these issues until they are sorted out.
City Council meetings are held each second and fourth Tuesday of every month. The community is invited and encouraged to attend. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and are held at Fairfield City Hall, located at 222 South Mount Street in Fairfield.
